The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Major General Leslie Eugene Brown (MCSN: 0-19930), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding General, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific from April 1972 to April 1973. Taking command of the FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing during the initial stages of the top-priority and extremely rapid re-deployment of most of the Wing’s tactical assets into the combat environment of Southeast Asia, Major General Brown faced a task of seemingly insurmountable dimensions. His superb leadership and professional competence contributed essentially to the success of a series of incredibly complex and diverse combat and combat support operations which were fully responsive to the needs of the military services and governments of Free World forces fighting in Southeast Asia. In addition, Major General Brown made a significant contribution to the Marine Corps’ Human Affairs Program. By his exemplary performance of duty throughout, Major General Brown reflected great credit upon himself, the Marine Corps, and the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Bronze Star Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant GeneralAction Date:
June 1977 – September 1978
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General Leslie Eugene Brown (MCSN: 0-19930), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific and as Commander, Marine Corps Bases, Pacific from June 1977 through September 1978. Lieutenant General Brown personified dynamic leadership in all aspects of military command and management. He was the dominant force in achieving and maintaining the highest degree of readiness within the Fleet Marine Force, Pacific and a strong proponent of the Navy/Marine team concept. Under his astute guidance, significant monetary savings and logistical and personnel benefits were realized through Lieutenant General Brown’s resourceful financial management and cost effective programs. Superior performance of duties as typified above was the hallmark of Lieutenant General Brown’s career in accomplishing broad and diverse tasks in both combat and other assignments and highlighted the culmination of more than 38 years of honorable and dedicated Marine Corps service. Lieutenant General Brown’s exceptional professionalism, resolute determination, and unswerving devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Brigadier GeneralAction Date:
August 1968 – September 1970
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Brigadier General Leslie Eugene Brown (MCSN: 0-19930), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Deputy Director for Operations, J-3, Operations Directorate, Headquarters, United States European Command. In this important assignment, the forceful leadership and outstanding judgment of Brigadier General Brown were the principal factors in the improvement and correction of critical management and training techniques and practices necessary to achieve a realistic combat readiness capability of certain United States and North Atlantic Treat Organization (NATO) Forces. Brigadier General Brown played a leading role in the development and formulation of a viable operations security program within the United States Forces in Europe, and in the establishment of a coordinated NATO unconventional warfare effort. He was instrumental in obtaining the release of ROCKEYE II munitions to NATO nations, thereby enhancing the implementation of current NATO strategy and furthering United States policy of encouraging European nations to assume a greater share of NATO defense. These actions and many others of equal importance have enhanced the military posture of the European Command and furthered the security interests of the United States. By his rare professional judgment, negotiating acumen, and deep understanding of complex military-political problems, Brigadier General Brown has made a major contribution to the successful accomplishment of the mission of the United States Armed Forces in Europe and has upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CaptainAction Date:
October 10 – December 15, 1950
SPOT AWARD: FMF Pacific: Serial 6685 (December 26, 1947)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Captain Leslie Eugene Brown (MCSN: 0-19930), United States Marine Corps, for meritorious achievement as Assistant Operations Officer and Briefing Officer in Marine Aircraft Group TWELVE (MAG-12), during operations against enemy aggressor forces at Wonsan and Yonp’o Korea, from 10 October to 15 December 1950. During the first five days of the Wonsan operations, Captain Brown organized and supervised the unloading and distribution of fuel and other critical supplies being flown to Wonsan in support of the group’s operations in addition to carrying out his other diverse duties. Keeping himself abreast of the tactical situation at all times, he skillfully briefed combat pilots, furnishing them with the most current information, and thereby contributing materially to the successful completion of various types of assigned missions. Working tirelessly and capably day and night, Captain Brown earned the respect and trust of the squadrons’ pilots and those who worked with him and, by his initiative and courageous devotion to duty, upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Captain Brown is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Leslie Eugene Brown (MCSN: 0-19930), United States Marine Corps, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CaptainRegiment:
Marine Aircraft Group 12Action Date:
November 12, 1950
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Leslie Eugene Brown (MCSN: 0-19930), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot and Tactical Air Coordinator of Marine Aircraft Group TWELVE in action against enemy aggressor forces as Huksu-ri, Korea, on 12 November 1950. Responsible for planning and organizing a coordinated strike on a hostile command post in an area without ground control, Captain Brown personally insured that friendly forces would be cleared from the vicinity during the attack and, after completing his orientation during the last hours of darkness, effected a before dawn takeoff. Under extremely adverse weather conditions which necessitated a descent through an overcast over hazardous mountainous terrain, he skillfully coordinated and led the strike into the target at dawn, taking the enemy completely by surprise. Boldly pressing home dangerous, low-level attacks in the face of intense hostile small-arms fire, he was responsible in great measure for the infliction of heavy casualties upon the enemy and for the destruction of the command post. By his ability as a leader and airman and his indomitable devotion to duty, Captain Brown contributed materially to the success of friendly ground forces in seizing their objective with little opposition, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
First LieutenantRegiment:
6th MarinesDivision:
2d Marine DivisionAction Date:
June 15, 1944
SPOT AWARD: FMF Pacific: Serial 6685 (January 23, 1945)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Leslie Eugene Brown (MCSN: 0-19930), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while attached to the Weapons Company, Sixth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, 15 June 1944. When the amphibious tractor in which he was embarked was set on fire by several enemy shells, First Lieutenant Brown ordered the craft abandoned after several unsuccessful attempts to extinguish the blaze. While swimming way, he noticed a wounded man entangled by ropes and, despite imminent danger from exploding ammunition in the burning craft, returned to the tractor to throw the wounded man into the water. Providing him with his own life belt, he towed him to safety shortly before the craft exploded. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon First Lieutenant Brown and the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
ColonelRegiment:
Marine Aircraft Group 12 (MAG-12)Division:
1st Marine Aircraft WingAction Date:
October 28, 1965
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Colonel Leslie Eugene Brown (MCSN: 0-19930), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces while serving as Commanding Officer, Marine Aircraft Group TWELVE (MAG-12), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in the Republic of Vietnam. During the early morning hours of 28 October 1965, Viet Cong suicide squads suddenly and violently attacked and infiltrated Chu Lai Airfield in a determined effort to destroy aircraft. Proceeding immediately to the center of action on the flight line, Colonel Brown, defying the hazards involved, directed the entire Group counteraction. With fires raging from bombed aircraft, and with guerrilla infiltrators dispersed throughout the area, he fearlessly moved from position to position, directing explosive ordnance disposal teams, fire fighting efforts, searches for bombs, and other defensive operations. Ignoring the low order detonation of two 250 pound bombs, and the danger from further explosions or the possible conflagration of the jet fuel which flooded the area, Colonel Brown fearlessly moved through the area supervising and personally assisting his Marines in their hazardous tasks. Displaying remarkable presence of mind and attention to detail, he was always the master of the situation, making his presence strongly felt everywhere and thereby establishing order from the potential chaos. By his selfless courage, inspiring leadership and loyal devotion to duty throughout, Colonel Brown upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.